Liquid fertilizer compositions comprising nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, and methods of forming and using the same

Abstract

Stable, liquid fertilizer compositions comprising nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum are provided herein. The fertilizer compositions are capable supplying high levels of micronutrients to seeds at low doses of the compositions. The compositions generally have low salinity and a pH from about 6.0 to about 8.0, thereby avoiding the high mortality rates of beneficial soil bacteria, which has been a major problem with prior seed fertilizers. Also provided herein are methods of forming and using the fertilizer compositions. Notably, it has been discovered that monoethanolamine molybdate solutions can be used to provide high levels of molybdenum to seed surfaces in a stable liquid formulation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0001]The present invention is generally directed to liquid fertilizer compositions particularly suited for application to seeds prior to germination.Description of the Prior Art[0002]Agricultural crops generally have a high nutritional demand for nitrogen, which is considered to be a primary macronutrient. Soy is a crop that exhibits a symbiotic relationship between the plant and the Bradyrhizobium bacterium, a microorganism that fixes nitrogen (N2) from the air absorbed by plants by means of the enzymatic complex nitrogenase, converting the previously atmospheric nitrogen into assimilable nitrogen. In the interest of better plant development, specific fertilizers have been developed for application to seeds, enhancing the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into assimilable nitrogen. However, only some nutrients are relevant in this phase of plant growth, such as nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum. These elements have rather specifi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a liquid fertilizer composition that includes a source of nickel, cobalt, and monoethanolamine molybdate. When this composition is applied to seeds, it promotes faster growth and development. The method for making the liquid fertilizer involves adding a molybdenum-containing solution to water and agitating it vigorously until the cobalt and nickel compounds are dissolved. Then, seaweed is added to create a liquid fertilizer solution that is effective for promoting plant growth.

Problems solved by technology

This is because one of the main factors limiting the success of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) lies in the rapid death of Bradyrhizobium by fungicides, insecticides, micronutrients, and other agrochemicals used in the treatment of seeds.

The development of fertilizers for the treatment of seeds has always been a challenge due to the difficulty of achieving formulations with a high nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum content without the need for a large volume of applied product.

Additionally, it has proven difficult to produce such a fertilizer having a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 and not affecting the development of beneficial bacteria.

The latter element increased the salinity of the fertilizer, which upon coming into contact with bacteria, promoted denaturation and increased the mortality rate of the rhizobia.

A second generation prior art fertilizer was able to increase the molybdenum and cobalt contents to 15% and 1.5%, respectively, but still suffered from the same problems.

While this source of cobalt did not increase the salinity of the fertilizer, the problem of acidity and of the salinity arising from the traditional sources of molybdenum still persisted, which also increased the mortality of the beneficial bacteria.

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